In contrast to popular opinion, winter is fun! Well, if you need to go somewhere, it can certainly be difficult. Or if you don’t have the correct gear (or proper infrastructure). But there are plenty of fun things to do in those colder winter months.
Don’t believe it? Sledding and skiing aren’t the only enjoyable things you can do in the winter. You could have some fun on a snowmobile! Or you could grab a pair of ice skates and spend a little time out on the ice. You can enjoy being outdoors in the winter just as much as the summer, spring, or, fall if you have the proper gear.
But that’s a major caveat: you need the correct gear to remain comfortable. Maybe you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be impacted by the cold. Or will cold weather damage my hearing aids?
Up to a point, most hearing aids will be fine in any weather
Hearing aids are manufactured to be used on a daily basis. They’re meant to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. Which means that hearing aid makers understand that these devices may take a pounding. We don’t suggest you do anything extreme with your hearing aids, just keep in mind that they’re designed to go along with you throughout your normal daily activities.
Consequently, most hearing aids are designed to be somewhat “all-weather”. Most hearing aids can function quite nicely between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some spots that will sometimes go below -13 but usually, that covers the broad spectrum of temperatures.
Which is a good thing! It means you’ll be able to hear in most environments. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s really cold? Well, drops in temperature will put strain on your devices, so while they may work, they might not work at their best.
Tips for hearing aids in the winter
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help ensure your hearing aids continue to work at maximum efficiency (or near enough) even in cold weather.
- It helps to wear a hat or earmuffs: Wearing earmuffs or a hat will keep both your ears and your hearing aid toasty. And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more optimally they’ll be working. Perhaps you’re wondering whether your hearing aids will still work if you have earmuffs over them. Most hearing aids will still work just fine with earmuffs on.
- Check your batteries (and make sure they’re charged): Can hearing aid batteries freeze? Well, not really. But cold weather can kill your batteries faster than warm weather. So before you go out in the cold, make sure your battery is completely charged.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by utilizing accessories.: There are all manner of straps and clips you can make use of to make sure your hearing aids stay in place. If you’re doing any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is particularly true.
- Keep your hearing aids somewhere warm and dry when you aren’t using them: Your hearing aid will function better and with fewer issues if you keep moisture out of it. Perhaps you’re not sure how to remove moisture from your hearing aid. In most situations, you can dry it off and then put it someplace dry and warm.
- Try not to get your hearing aids wet: When snow melts, it becomes water, so be careful about exposing your hearing aids to snow. If you’re going to ask, “Well, can I use hearing aids when it’s raining or snowing”? Yes, you can. Most hearing aids are water resistant but not usually waterproof. So while your hearing aid will probably be okay if it gets a little wet, you should dry it as soon as you can.
- Consult us about how your hearing aids are fitting: Hearing aids can sometimes become uncomfortable when they’re cold. Decrease any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
So, if you’re wondering: how do I safeguard my hearing aids in the winter? That’s precisely what we’re going to explore.
If your hearing aid stops working, what should you do?
Of course, even in the optimal weather conditions, your hearing aid may occasionally stop working. You can take a few basic measures to troubleshoot your device (for example, ensure the batteries are charged and that your devices are good and dry). If you still aren’t able to figure out why they aren’t working, we should be able to help you with that.
Don’t let cold weather stop you from enjoying life!
There are plenty of reasons why you may want to stay indoors when it’s -10 degrees outside. Perhaps you don’t like the cold. Maybe a delicious hot bowl of soup would do the trick. Maybe snowmobiles aren’t your jam. The essential thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are stopping you from living your best winter life.
If you follow the tips above and take good care of your hearing aids, this is especially true. If you have any questions about how cold weather might effect the performance of your hearing aids, talk to us today!
